Vinyl pressings
by Donald Byrd · 1976
Caricatures was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 7 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
BN-LA 633-1 [Artisan logo]Side A runout, variant 1
BN-LA 633-2 [Artisan logo]Side B runout, variant 1
BN-LA 633-1 [Artisan logo]Side A runout, variant 2
BN-LA 633-2-X [Artisan logo]Side B runout, variant 2
BN-LA 633-1 X 'ARTISAN LOGO' G 33Side A runout, etched/stamped, var.1
BN-LA 633-2 X 'ARTISAN LOGO' W 33Side B runout, etched/stamped, var.1
BN.LA.633.1 (2) M2 'ARTISAN LOGO' 33Side A runout, etched, 'Artisan Logo' stamped, var.2
BN.LA.633.2 M2 'ARTISAN LOGO' 33Side A runout, etched, 'Artisan Logo' stamped, var.2
T1 BN-LA 633-1-2Etched Side A
T1 BN-LA 633-2-2Etched Side B
[Artisan logo]Stamped Both Sides
BN-LA 633-1Etched Side A, Variant 1
BN-LA 633-2Etched Side B, Variant 1
BN-LA 633-1 (2)Etched Side A, Variant 2
33 BN-LA 633-2Etched Side B, Variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Blue Note BN-LA633-GFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Blue Note BN-LA633-GFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Blue Note BN 84564 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | Blue Note UAG 24026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | United Artists Records UAL 24026 / Blue Note UAL 24026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Blue Note 5C 062-98817First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | South Korea | HES STEREO AKS-1028First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Blue Note UAG 20008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Blue Note BN-LA633-GFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Blue Note BN-LA633-GFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Blue Note BN-LA633-GFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | Blue Note LNS-80810LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Caricatures are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Blue Note BN-LA633-G, released October 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BN-LA633-G, UAG 20008, BN 84564 XOT, UAG 24026) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BN-LA 633-1 [Artisan logo] and BN-LA 633-2 [Artisan logo]. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
